The threat of misinformation, conspiracy theory and social media to our democracy

[David Horn]

(05-02-2022, 01:44 PM)Eric the Green Wrote:

(05-02-2022, 01:32 PM)David Horn Wrote: Whoever the Dems run, s/he had better be bold, decisive and as plain spoken as possible.  And s/he had better avoid the demure word-parsing Dems use to try to explain why they aren't really like the Reps say they are ... really!  It comes across just the way it sounds: weak and apologetic.  Dems need to apologize NEVER.  it doesn't work for them, and it's stupid to boot.

Indeed, and Biden has shown that capacity, especially in a couple of speeches he made early this year. He needs to be recognized for this as much as for his soft-spoken, elderly style on other occasions. But no-one else available has this ability that you are calling for to the extent that Biden does.

Here we'll have to disagree. Biden may very well have the capacity to be bold and direct, but he isn't ... not now, at least. Even Bill DeBlasio wrote an op-ed imploring Biden to do what he (DeBlasio) failed to do himself. Biden can connect with average people, because he was one once. Unfortunately, he was also taught to be humble. Humble doesn't cut it in politics.

Here's the model of how to do it. Too many of us are suffering. This is what's needed to move ahead (insert one to three well defined goals: lower drug costs, Medicare for All, higher taxes on the rich, or equally popular options), Republican oppose all of them, so we need more Dems to get them. Attach Republicans just like they attack Democrats and prove that Dems are on the side of average people. Right now, they believe it's the GOP that's in their corner.

Here's an example: when interviewed, people credited Trump with the checks they received, because his name was on them. It's BS, but it worked! Today's politics is all messaging and doing in brashly. We're way past subtle at this point.